Rainwater gutter and eave trough repair system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for the repair of leaking rainwater gutter and eave troughs. The Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Repair System consist of a plurality contoured piece types that fit the rainwater gutter and eave troughs to form a strong leak resistant patch. The said unique Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Repair System is designed for use on a plurality of leaking rainwater gutters and eaves troughs conforming to the shape of the rainwater gutter and eave trough.

References Cited (prior art)

The following patents were found in a search relating to the invention disclosed Patent Current number Issued Owner U.S. Class 4,741,645 May 3, 1988 Butler; Richard W 405/118 4,954,015 Sep. 4, 1990 McGowan; Vince J. 405/121 6,701,674 Mar. 9, 2004 Albracht; Gregory P. 52/12 6,732,477 May 11, 2004 Richard; Thomas Roy 52/12 6,745,517 Jun. 8, 2004 Vahldieck; Wayne 52/12

Patent number Issued Owner Current Class 2210290 Pending Hall, S. Warren E04D

DESCRIPTION FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the improved and unique method and apparatus for repairing and strengthening of rainwater gutter and eave troughs.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The use of rainwater gutter and eave troughs is omni-present in the building of homes and many types of structure. The described invention for the repair of these rainwater gutter and eave troughs is unique. The Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Repair System provide a strong, durable, and economical method of repairing and strengthening leaking or weakened rainwater gutters and eaves troughs without the necessity of removing or replacing the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough run.

As of this date no comprehensive and/or economical repair method has been invented which provides the unique an easy answer to a leaking rainwater gutter and eave trough without either inserting large lengths of material or replacement of the leaking position of the rainwater gutter and eave trough that provides strength and durability of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,645 to Butler, discloses a method and apparatus for the repair of leaky gutters by the installation of a semi-conforming, resilient liner. The liner material is selected for its ability to readily form durable watertight joints with adjoining pieces of similar material, or to itself, to provide a watertight conveyance to the downspout for runoff water. The resiliency of the material is selected such that the liner is generally semi-conformal in order to prevent seepage of water between the liner and the gutter, and to allow easy handling and installation. Finally, the liner presented when installed is durable enough and inexpensive enough to make lining of the gutters to repair the leaks more cost effective than replacement of the leaky gutter with new ones. In one embodiment, PVC material and bonding agents, similar to those commonly used in plastic pipe plumbing, are selected for use.

2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,015 to McGowan, discloses; The present invention relates to an eavestrough fitting having a molded plastic member with a gasket secured thereto having a unique configuration. The gasket has at least two ribs extending across the molded plastic member and up the sides thereof, with these ribs being sized to form a seal with an appropriately shaped eavestrough inserted within the fitting. The eavestrough is inserted into the fitting and the gasket includes resilient aligning members urging the sidewalls of the inserted eavestrough towards the center whereby the base of the eavestrough is more positively urged into sealing contact with the ribs across the base of the molded plastic member.

3. US Pat. No. 6,701,674 to Albracht, discloses a gutter protection system and method of installation is provided. In a first aspect, the gutter protection system includes a gutter cover having an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion having a nose portion including a return portion that is bent downward and backward substantially toward a center region of the gutter to guide a water stream into the gutter, and a bracket for holding the gutter cover, with the bracket having a lower portion engaging the gutter and an upper portion extending above the gutter and engaging the lower portion of the gutter cover, wherein the bracket holds the gutter cover in position in relation to the gutter so that the upper portion of the gutter cover is positioned over a roof and the lower portion is positioned over the gutter at a predetermined angle.

4. U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,477 to Richard, discloses a gutter cap for ducting rainwater to a rainwater gutter, while simultaneously deflecting debris. The invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting pre-existing aluminium gutters. The gutter cap can be installed with minimum tools and with no disruption to the existing gutter. The gutter cap is comprised of a sloped cover, which uses the attraction of water to bend water around a hooked edge as it drains across the sloped cover and ducts it into the trough. The cover, which forms a roof over the gutter's trough, is mounted with mounting blocks that snap on the cross-struts supporting the gutter, and these mounting blocks interlocks with the hooked edge of the cover. An opposing longitudinal edge on the cover is attached to the fascia board of the roof using a few screws or nails.

5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,517 to Vahldieck, discloses a one-piece moulded body includes a horizontal arm that extends into a concave longitudinal recess at the front of the roof of a leaf repellant rain gutter, a vertical arm that contacts the back wall of the gutter and contacts the bottom wall of the trough of the gutter, and by referencing on the contacts, orients a fastener in a fastener support guide portion of the body so that the axis of the fastener extends through the slot opening formed by the longitudinal front of the roof and the longitudinal top of the front of the trough.

6. Canadian patent 2210290 to HALL , discloses the present invention provides a simple two position mounting and installation system for eavestroughing. The system is designed to provide a spring retention system using the flexibility and rigidilty of the components. The system uses a retaining member and or a gutter having spring arms to provide the spring retention system. This system normally provides an over center type securement. The invention is also directed to a two position support arrangement between a facia mounted retainer and a modified gutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1: Cross Section of the Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Contoured Repair Piece

FIG. 2: Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Outside corner Contoured Repair piece

FIG. 3: Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Inside corner Contoured Repair piece

FIG. 4: Rainwater Gutter and Eave Trough Straight Section Contoured Repair piece

FIG. 5: Prospective View Representative of Installation of Contoured Repair Pieces

FIG. 6: Cross Sectional View Representative of Installation of Contoured Pieces

Note: all figures represent possible and/or typical installation configurations of the embodiment and do not limited or restrict possible variations of the invention or application as described and or illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, specifically FIGS. 1 through 6,

As is illustrated in FIG. 1 through 6, the embodiments comprise contoured pieces (10), latching tabs or latching elements (11) and contoured piece bottom section (12).

FIG. 1, illustrates a cross section of the comprise contoured pieces (10), latching tabs or latching elements (11), contoured piece bottom section (12), existing rainwater gutter and eave trough (13), and existing structure (14)

FIG. 1, illustrates a cross section of the contoured piece (10) is shown locked onto the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough (13) with latching tabs or latching elements (11), exsite structure (14).

FIG. 2, illustrates an outside corner contoured piece (10) with latching tabs or latching elements (11) and the contoured piece bottom section (12).

FIG. 3, illustrates an inside corner contoured piece (10) with latching tabs or latching elements (11) and the contoured piece bottom section (12).

FIG. 4, illustrates a straight contoured piece (10) with latching tabs or latching elements (11) and the contoured piece bottom section (12).

FIG. 5, illustrates a representative installation of an outside corner, a straight, and an inside corner contoured piece in a perceptive view. (Un-numbered)

FIG. 6, is an illustration of a representative installation of an outside corner, a straight, and an inside corner contoured piece on an rainwater gutters and eave troughs mounted on an existing structure (14) with durable bonding sealing type adhesives illustrated in possible location on the contoured pieces.

The preceding descriptions are included to illustrate the preferred embodiment and are not meant to limit the scope or construction of the invention or its application. 

1. A method and apparatus for the repair of leaking rainwater gutters and eave troughs comprised of a plurality of individual contoured pieces having at least two latching tabs or latching elements, main formed body shape, and bonded to the rainwater gutters and eave troughs by a plurality of durable bonding sealing type adhesives
 2. As said in claim 1, the contoured pieces are formed in a plurality of shapes, sizes, materials and colors to accommodate existing rainwater gutters and eave troughs.
 3. As said in claim 2, the contoured pieces are shaped to conform to the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough forming a strong repair patch over the leaking section or weak spot of the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough.
 4. As said in claim 2, the contoured pieces are initially held in position to the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough by two or more latching tabs.
 5. As said in claim 4, the latching tabs or latching elements form part of the contoured piece securely locking the contoured piece onto the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough. The latching tabs or latching elements fix in place the contoured piece onto the existing rainwater gutters and eave troughs.
 6. As said in claim 5, the latching tabs or latching elements secure the contoured pieces to the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough facilitating the use of a durable bonding sealing adhesive that is applied to the main body of the contoured pieces in a section of the contoured pieces to provide maximum leak proofing of the repaired portion of the existing rainwater gutters and eave trough.
 7. As said in claim 6, a plurality of durable bonding sealing type adhesive provide water proofing and secure attachment may comprise of silicon, rubber, liquid metal and/or other material compatible with the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough construction.
 8. As said in claim 1 the contoured repair pieces are manufactured of material, which provide a compatible electrical bond to the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough material producing a neutral electrical valance between the contoured pieces and the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough preventing corrosion of the repair patch or existing rainwater gutter and eave trough.
 9. As said in claim 1 the embodiment construction will met the needs of the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough and will be colored, shaped, and contoured to present an integrated and or contrasting appearance with the existing rainwater gutter and eave trough and support structure. Page 4 of 16 